Angus Grant Art

Paddling, Painting, Printing

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A weekend of landscape painting

I had a busy but super fun weekend in Tomatin and Boat of Garten teaching some lovely people how to paint misty landscapes.

Luckily the weather was bright enough for a spot of outdoor painting too.

We used acrylics to build up the different layers of the scene – from sky to mountain to trees to loch – then picked up the airbrush to create clouds and mist and add to a sense of depth, or atmospheric perspective, if you want the arty word.

Everyone did really well. It was great to see people having fun while learning a new technique. I loved seeing the results. All the finished paintings looked brilliant.

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Many thanks to Art in Strathdearn and the 1896 Gallery in Boat of Garten for asking me along. And best of luck to the latter, which is now open again and looking great after a wee refurbishment. And finally thanks to James Gordon at the 1896 Gallery for taking photos on Sunday.

Metallic Morlich painting by Angus Grant


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Landscapes are a skoosh

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to paint a landscape, now is your chance.

As part of the grand re-opening of the 1896 Gallery in Boat of Garten. I’ll be teaching a wee workshop there at the end of March.

‘Landscapes are a skoosh’ will cover basic acrylic techniques to build up the layers of a scene in order to create a beautiful painting. I’ll also show you how to use an airbrush and get you spraying paint on the canvas in no time.

It’s a one day session on March 31 – that’s all the time you’ll need. The workshop costs £75 and includes materials, a light lunch and refreshments. But spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Contact info@1896gallery.com to reserve your space.


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Mush! Mush!

The Aviemore Sled Dog Rally at Glenmore is always a fantastic spectacle – lots of excited dogs and hundreds of keen spectators along the Loch Morlich tracks.

This year, I’m going to be heading along to join the traders in the marquee – an early start to my year of craft fairs.

The event, organised by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain, has been running 1984 and now attracts more than 1,000 sled dogs and 250 mushers. This year it’s on Saturday January 26 and Sunday January 27.

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I’m really looking forward to it. Huskies are such beautiful dogs.

Not sure if there’ll be snow yet but I’m looking out the thermals anyway!

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Loch Morlich and the Cairngorms photo by Angus Grant

Thanks to Steven Feasey for the husky photographs. You can find him on Facebook here.

 

 

Loch an Eilein by Angus Grant


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Three commissions

I’ve been taking a break from painting over Christmas but wanted to share my most recent commissions with you.

First up is this colourful picture of Grantown East, the new visitor centre created in a dilapidated railway station on the outskirts of the town. After years of hard graft to get the place up and running, Karen Blessington and Dave Garman wanted a view of the finished site.

Grantown East by Angus Grant

If you’ve visited, you’ll know how beautiful it is. The railway carriages house a restaurant selling excellent pizza, while the old station has been lovingly refurbished to become a shop and visitor centre. It was great to be able to show the place in its new glory.

My second commission was also railway-related: a view from Lagyie on the A95 whisky road, looking towards the Strathspey Railway and beyond to the Cairngorms.

Lagyie by Angus Grant

It’s a really stunning view and I enjoyed painting the steam engine and its carriages.

Finally, I was asked to paint Loch an Eilein for a present.

Loch an Eilein by Angus Grant

I haven’t done this scene for a while so it was good to return to it: it’s such a popular and beautiful place. I’m delighted with how it turned out, particularly the castle.

Happy New Year when it comes and here’s to lots of new painting challenges in 2019!

Glenmore Visitor Centre (photo by Jane Candlish)


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Christmas at Glenmore

As one craft fair comes to an end, so I have to give you a heads up on the last event in my Christmas calendar.

The Glenmore Visitor Centre is hosting a special festive fair with loads of family friendly activities on offer.

It takes place next weekend, Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16, open 10am-4pm.

As well as a special menu at Cobbs Cafe, you can pick up a Christmas tree and do your gift shopping with me and a host of other local craftspeople.

And of course there’ll be reindeer…

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Christmas tree using airbrush


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Highland Wildlife Park Art

There’s a wee bonus on offer if you’re visiting the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig this weekend.

As well as seeing polar bears, tigers, lynx and snow leopards, you can have a go at making Christmas cards with me!

I’m running a day of mini-workshops at the park on Saturday, with some fun and easy ways to make lovely pictures. Materials will be provided and the sessions are free and suitable for all ages and abilities.

We’ll use the airbrush to blow green ink around to draw Christmas trees. And we’ll do some easy printing with feathers and turn the images into animals by drawing on them with pens and coloured pencils.

Christmas tree using airbrush
Bird picture with printed feather
Giraffe picture with printed feather

These are simple ways of creating artwork – everyone can have a go.

The workshops will start every hour from 12.15pm and will take place in the shop.

 

 

Caber tosser stacking mugs by Angus Grant Art


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Grantown East

Delighted to be at Grantown East Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre yesterday for its grand opening.

This has been a major project for Karen Blessington and Dave Garman and it was great to see so many people turn out to see the fantastic results. Everyone loved the miniature railway – I did too.

I’m also pleased to have my products in the shop. They include some specially designed mugs featuring Highland Games athletes. You might also get the chance to sip some delicious coffee from them in the cafe, which is in two converted carriages. Everything looks brilliant and I wish them the best of luck with the venture.

Caber tosser stacking mugs by Angus Grant Art
Display of Angus Grant Art Products at Grantown East
View of shop counter at Grantown East Highland Heritage and Cultural Centre

 

New Highland Cow teapots, cups and saucers from Angus Grant Art


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Tea anyone?

I’m delighted to share these new tea sets. Just got them out of the kiln this evening in time for Jane to take along to the stall at the Eastgate Centre, Inverness, tomorrow. If you get a chance pop in and see her. They are stylish porcelain cups and saucers with a nice rustic finish and the capacity to hold a “good cuppa”.

New Bumblebee teapots, cups and saucers from Angus Grant Art
New Highland Cow teapots, cups and saucers from Angus Grant Art